Restaurant spotlight: The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

Fashion meets flavour at The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg

There are some restaurants that come and go in the blink of an eye, and others that are seemingly immune to fads. The Shortmarket Club, which has moved to Joburg on a permanent basis, falls into the latter category. The team has managed to pull it off, delivering the same feeling and style as the beloved Cape Town restaurant, but with a glossy upgrade. This opening has turned up the heat – glammed-up crowd and the city’s best cocktails included.

At first glimpse, it’s easy to see why The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg was such a hit when it first opened its doors inside Oxford Parks in October last year. When you walk in, you can’t help but be impressed by the atmospheric venue. Crimson walls, moody lighting, vintage-style booth seating, a glitzy bar, verdant greenery and white orchids make it an instant hit for le ‘gram. A gold and copper butterfly ceiling installation is a focal point and brings a touch of fantasy to the sultry, speakeasy-style space. Coo factor aside, head chef Taryn Smith – co-owner and chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ guardian culinary pro behind the gastronomic sorcery – arguably plates up the most inventive and aesthetically pleasing food that the City of Gold has to offer.

World-class ingredients and cutting-edge flavours with a strong Asian game are key to chef Taryn’s winning formula. The à la carte menu is split into starters, mains and desserts – and, naturally, one should order something from each. What to eat? Stick with the famous-for-a-reason signatures. Order the immaculately beer-battered tempura calamari, sheathed in a crisp coating of golden batter with doenjang and sesame relish, pickled red onion and lime Japanese mayo; the pepper-crusted fillet anchored by café au lait sauce and a warm celeriac salad; and the sinful combo of chocolate fondant, French vanilla ice cream, chocolate caramel crunch and berry compote. Do indulge – it’s worth the extra on-trend spin class! Dishes are best washed down with carefully crafted cocktails from the vast and mouthwatering drinks menu. Our tip is to go for the Signature Old Fashioned, the Grapefruit Martini tarted up with lime juice or the Chai Amaretto Sour, a twist on the classic whisky sour using homemade chai tea syrup.

We also highly recommend the tasting menu, priced at R850 per person with your choice of the ‘homegrown’ wine pairing (R1,520), the ‘journey’ wine pairing (R1,750) or cocktail pairing (R1,350). Made up of all sorts of bejewelling delights that shine a light on the brilliance of Asian cuisine, it’s an experience worthy of your hard-earned bucks. A dose of theatrics form the basis of the grand five-course menu. Wild Namibian oysters, oozing with punchy flavours of piña colada dressing and crispy ginger, are matched to a glass of L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2014. Irresistible. The introduction of still more impeccable ingredients is used to give the palette a zing of epicurean freshness. Pitch-perfect beef tataki with miso broth, lemongrass oil and smoked tofu purée … crisp-skinned line fish of the day with smoked tomato beurre blanc, sweet potato Pommes Anna, grilled asparagus and rocket crème. The most otherworldly Amarula malva pudding with crème anglaise, brûléed naartjies and cinnamon crumb seals the deal.

As with Luke’s other restaurants, eating here is like joining in one big dinner party. And the best bit? The crew know how to have fun, too. Aside from the food, the stellar wines and all the gloriously intricate details, you’re also paying for polished service, thumping beats and live jazz performances. The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg is not to be missed for the overall package. It’s pricey and flashy, but oh-so-worthy of a special evening out for a birthday or other celebration. If you can only get a table for two, don’t despair – you and your date won’t be disappointed.

Oxford Parks, 199 Oxford Road, Rosebank 010 006 2323 jhb@theshortmarketclub.co.za www.theshortmarketclub.co.za

Marble Group is once again pushing the boundaries of luxury, and everyone’s invited. Get ready to dress up, show up and break free this Summer as Zioux {pronounced Zoo} which has officially opened its stained-glass, over-the-top doors.

“The world has changed, but people still love to go out and have fun,” explains Gary Kyriacou, founder of The Marble Group. “We see people are looking to escape when they’re out – Zioux is the place for them to let go.”

Located next door to Saint in the MARC Sandton, described as a playground for the adventurous, Zioux is creating a buzz in the heart of Sandton – with the high-energy and playful Saint on one side, and Africa’s largest stock exchange on the other.

The 400m2 space is a merger of a bar and a restaurant on an international level – a luxurious lounge where guests can indulge in Champagne, cocktails and a menu featuring an extravagant selection of dishes designed to be shared. Each corner and surface have been carefully thought through and pays homage to the 70’s era. The space is intimate and seductive.

“Zioux brings warm authenticity but also decadent detail to life,” explains Interior Designer, Irene Kyriacou. “Everything in the space is custommade and intricate to create an air of comfort and timelessness in the inside-outside space.”

Marble Group has once again partnered with GRID to design the look and feel for Zioux. The centerpiece to Zioux is the onyx marble back-lit bar. It is flanked by booth seating, a raised VIP area and outside seating with intricate detailing. Playful prints, bespoke artwork designs and textures brings the space to life. It also features one of the best VOID sound systems in the country – with enough tech and volume to satisfy the fussiest DJ, and under the guidance of Operations Director, Dino Constantinou.

George Hunter, the consulting head barman for Marble and Saint, has joined the group full-time to curate the cocktail experience

The food is not a traditional sit-down offering either. Instead, a classic retro-revival of nostalgic menu items and small, decadent plates. On certain days of the week, Zioux will also feature extravagant brunches and high teas.

“We cater for a diverse but specific crowd,” explains David Higgs, co-founder of The Marble Group and the artistic mind behind the globally-inspired menu. “Food has always brought people together, and we’re going back to that, it’s just going to be really opulent and playful.”

“The world has changed, and we’ve entered a new generation of luxury,” Gary explains. “Customers are no longer seeking stiff and uptight environments to feel a sense of luxury. Zioux is a space that boldly brings together luxury through experience, quality and intuitive service. It’s sure to bring out the wild side in everyone.”